What Can A Coach Do For Me?
Peer Academic Coaching connects students with a trained Peer Academic Coach who will help students address their academic concerns by:
- Exploring the issues that are causing problems
- Brainstorming possible ways to overcome obstacles to your academic success and finding resources
- Creating a specific action plan
The Peer Academic Coach collaborates with the student to help them assess and reflect on their study habits, study skills, or external factors affecting academic performance. The student is then able to build on their academic strengths and overcome weaknesses. Through Peer Academic Coaching, students can also connect in to workshops on learning skills and resources. Students can drop in for an appointment in the Chapman Learning Commons and, if they choose, meet regularly with their coaches throughout the term to discuss learning tools, study tips and academic issues.
Peer Academic Coaching Introduction
Go Further
A recent study from Stanford University suggests that students who receive ‘coaching’ or mentoring during their undergrad, are 10-15% more likely to graduate University than their peers who did not receive any mentoring. Peer Academic Coaching at UBC includes guidance in goal-setting and time management skills, as well as tips on more concrete skills such as note-taking or textbook reading. It is important to seek out guidance early in your undergrad, and while that is an ideal situation, it’s never too late to sit down with one of your peers to get assistance and collaborate on an action plan for yourself.
While coaching is a great resource for students who are at risk of not graduating, it is also of value for students who are excelling in classes. Academic Coaches have lots of tricks and suggestions to make your life that much easier, and they also love to hear suggestions of successful methods that are working for students!
Read the articles here:
New York Times Article on the benefits of Peer Coaching
The Effects of Student Coaching in College, National Bureau of Economic Research
Photo by Jason Tseng
Our Partners
Where is this service located? I’d like to drop in and use the service. Thanks
Hi Jessie, we are located on the third floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/2011/07/the-chapman-learning-commons-2/
I am an exchange student and in faculty of arts.
I got into every classes I enrolled and I realized that I will be in big trouble throughout the following year with several issues.
One is english issue and the other is that I don’t know the way of studying in this country.
For these reasons, I hope to get some help. Can you e-mail me with information of possible help and the fee?
Hello Jisoo,
Welcome to UBC! The great news is that the University offers language and study support for students completely free of charge.
If you’re concerned about your English proficiency, you can take a look at this website – they offer free professional help for students.
If you would like to improve your study skills, we offer free Peer Academic Coaching at the Chapman Learning Commons. It is essentially a chance for you to sit down with a trained student to asses your study skills, and brainstorm ways to improve. You can find their hours here. You can also take a look at our Student Toolkits and you can work at improving your study skills on your own.
Take Care!
–Gillian